How to Make Electricity From Fruits

You may remember a science experiment from your youth where fruit is used to light up a small light bulb. This type of experiment is as appealing to kids today as it was in the past, and it's a great way to get them interested in science. Here's how to conduct the experiment so that you can enjoy it with some children you know.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange
• 2-inch copper nail
• 2-inch zinc nail
• Small holiday light with wire leads
• Electrical tape

Instructions

1. Squeeze the pieces of fruit firmly enough to soften them on the inside, but do not break the skin of the fruit.

2. Insert both the zinc and the copper nails into the fruit a couple of inches apart. Make sure the ends are not touching inside the fruit and that the ends have not gone all the way through the other side of the fruit.

3. Peel back the insulation from the wire leads on the light bulb.

4. Take one of the leads and wrap it around the zinc nail.

5. Take the other lead wire, wrap it around the copper nail, and the bulb will light up! Secure the leads to the nails with electrical tape.

References

• Fruit Battery Power

Resources

• Frequently-Asked Questions